First Lathe Project for Clara

 

  This was a big weekend for my Grand Daughter Clara and I.  This weekend she turned her first lathe project.  She wanted a small bowl for gerbil food and instead of the square open box she imagined making I introduced her to the lathe.

  This is a small bowl turned using a face plate.  Naturally I had to set things up but once I showed her the basics of rounding off the blank she got right into it.  At first I showed her how to hold the roughing gouge and supported her hands but...pretty soon I was only there for encouragement and normal support.  She learned how to sand the bowl through three ever finer grits as well.  

  These were spontaneous projects but next time I will take her through the whole set up process.  She wants to make a bigger bowl for herself next time.

  Our next project was this 'natural wood' neck lace holder.  We rummaged around in the wood pile until we found this rough piece.  I showed her how to use a block plane to smooth out the splinters on the wood and then she drilled the holes for the dowels on the drill press. 

  What can I say, I am so excited when our Grand Kids are interested in making things and especially in the shop.  Clara also crochets slippers and clothes for her stuffed animals. 

  It appears that I haven't kept up with the blogs.  Well, I have been working in the shop but always on routine/maintenance things for the last while.  I am planning in the next blog to talk about pochade boxes, building: what and why.

 

Eva's Keepsake Box

about 5 x 5 inches square

 In spite of Google's efforts to make this blog software totally user unfriendly I soldier onward.  The long running keepsake box is now finished.  I was going to line the inside but the oak bottom has such a cool grain I am leaving it visible.

   The back shows the very fussy hinges that I installed.  I needed a fancy style but they were a bit tricky to attach to the box.  I needed to drill very fine holes for the brass (ish) brads and ultimately  both the hinges and latch are attached as much by super glue as by the brads. Driving tiny, soft metal, brads into hard maple is not easy for big fingers.

 

  I am pleased with the final result and will work on the jig that cut the corners to make a box like this again.

  May favourite project in the shop this week was:

  These are two dividers for Clara's new desk drawers.  These are my favourite because, she measured, sawed, sanded, glued and nailed them all by herself.  All I did was provide the materials, tools and some supervision. I believe that being a 'maker' is something that is learned early and will then last a lifetime.  Clara is already a good baker and is becoming skilled  at crochet, she will soon be making heirloom items.

  Good for her.